Skip to main content

Finland’s VTT technology miniaturises measuring devices

According to Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, technology developed by the centre makes it possible to miniaturise an entire measuring laboratory to the size of a small sensor. Using the technology, the Fabry project at VTT has developed smart optical measuring devices for uses that include optimisation of vehicle engines, reduction and monitoring of environmental emissions, and quality control of pharmaceuticals. Participants in the Fabry project to develop spectroscopic sensor devi
May 13, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
According to Finland’s 814 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, technology developed by the centre makes it possible to miniaturise an entire measuring laboratory to the size of a small sensor.

Using the technology, the Fabry project at VTT has developed Smart optical measuring devices for uses that include optimisation of vehicle engines, reduction and monitoring of environmental emissions, and quality control of pharmaceuticals.

Participants in the Fabry project to develop spectroscopic sensor devices based on novel Fabry-Perot interferometers included 260 Continental Automotive, 536 Sick, 7745 Innopharma Labs, 7746 Ocean Optics, 7747 Murata Electronics, Rikola, 7748 Okmetic and VTT Memsfab.

So far, two of the companies involved have launched new products of their own based on the project results. Rikola of Finland has developed the world’s smallest hyperspectral camera, which can be used for surveying fertilisation and irrigation needs in agricultural areas from unmanned aerial vehicles, while the Irish Innopharma Labs manufactures Eyemap cameras for the pharmaceutical industry.

VTT is also in the process of establishing a spin-off company based on the, which it expects to launch in May 2014.

“Apart from new business operations, optical measurement technology also has an impact on employment. In the long run, this could create dozens, or maybe even hundreds of new jobs in Finland,” says Jarkko Antila, senior scientist at VTT, who has been coordinating the project.

The Fabry-Perot interferometer makes use of multiple reflections between two closely spaced partially silvered surfaces. Part of the light is transmitted each time the light reaches the second surface, resulting in multiple offset beams which can interfere with each other. The large number of interfering rays produces an interferometer with extremely high resolution, somewhat like the multiple slits of a diffraction grating increase its resolution.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Swiss approval for Redflex
    September 19, 2014
    RedflexRed-radar, Redflex’s innovative fixed traffic enforcement solution has received type approval from the Traffic, Acoustics and Vibration sector at the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) in Switzerland. RedflexRed-radar is a fixed traffic enforcement solution, utilising proprietary Redflex non-intrusive mapping radar technology with high resolution cameras to detect and photograph intersection red light and speed offences across up to six lanes of traffic. The proprietary Redflex phase monopulse
  • ADAS ‘fastest growing sector’ in automotive field
    July 7, 2015
    According to the latest research by RnR Market Research, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in automotive field and is expected to register a CAGR of 32 per cent during 2014-2019. Currently, developed countries in Europe and America have had nearly eight per cent of new vehicles equipped with ADAS, in contrast to about two per cent in emerging markets. It is predicted that over 25 per cent of new vehicles will carry ADAS by 2019 globally. The Global a
  • Technology advances improve enforcement
    July 26, 2012
    Across the board, technology is being brought to bear to improve the efficiency of enforcement. Bus lane monitoring, parking and controlled access have all benefited from systems introduced in recent months. While speed and red light infringements tend to attract the most attention, there remain several other areas of enforcement where automation can bring significant operational and efficiency benefits. Lane monitoring and access control also continue to benefit from technological development.
  • Megapixel telezoom from Fujinon
    January 24, 2012
    Fujinon has introduced a new two-megapixel telezoom lens. The HC16x100R2CE-F11 features optical and mechanical quality similar to Fujinon HD broadcast lenses. It is designed for light-sensitive cameras with sensor sizes up to 1in. The focal length of 100-1,600mm can be doubled by a built-in x2 extender to a maximum focal length of 3,200mm. Despite the long focal length, the HC16x100 features a fast Fstop of 3.4, and the lens is equipped with Fujinon's 'Day&Night technology' which allows the use of IR illumi